Funeral Services for 76-year old Cleo Gates are Sat, Dec 2, 2023 at 11:00 at the Wounded Knee District School in Manderson, SD, with Ms Joyce Tibbitts and Deacon Bill White officiating and traditional Lakota services by Percy White Plume
Burial is at St Agnes Catholic Cemetery in Manderson, SD
A one-night wake service starts Friday, Dec 1, 2023 at 2:00 at the Wounded Knee District School in Manderson with evening services at 6:00
Cleo Ellen Clifford was the first-born of Collins L Clifford and Katherine Black Elk-Clifford on May 28, 1947. She passed on peacefully on November 25, 2023 at the Monument Hospice House in Rapid City, SD. Ironically, that is the birthdate of her baby, Dawn Jean Cuny, who passed on two years before.
Cleo was a classy, intelligent, honest, compassionate, hardworking, brave, humble, and strong Wild Oglala winyan.
Cleo was the family matriarch and her door was always open to her brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and their friends/siblings as well.
You would enjoy a warm meal and some good ol’ stories, then receive sound advice o a chewing out, if deemed necessary. She was never judgmental and listened with an open heart. One thing is certain, you left her kitchen table with solid advice, a new perspective, and carried her unconditional love with you.
Cleo grew up in White Horse Creek. She attended Our Lady of Lourdes, Holy Rosary Mission, and graduated high school from the Sacred Heart Academy in St Charles, Mo in 1965. She certainly made a lasting impression and developed lifelong friendships.
Cleo graduated from Haskell Indian Junior College and soon after moved to California to work for Wells Fargo Bank. When she returned to Pine Ridge, she was employed at Oglala Community School, Red Wing Café, and Indian Health Service-Mental Health.
She then returned to Manderson to work at WKDS and WKDS Foundation, Enterprise Bingo. She was the local Tax Preparer for many in the community. Cleo retired after 18 years working for WKDS.
She was an avid reader and quick learner. She was also instrumental in setting learning policy and procedure to ensure WKDS and WKD Foundation adhered to policy and guidelines.
Cleo was also a strong supporter/activist of AIM and taught us to always stand up and protect our rights as Lakota Oyate. She participated in Wounded Knee 73, The Longest Walk, and Yellow Thunder Camp.
Cleo is survived by her daughters April Hussman of White Horse Creek, Sonia Bear Runner of Rockyford, Sandra Cuny (Tyrell Brewer) of Pine Ridge, and Felicia Gates of Utah; her sons John Gates of Utah and Dan “Dan the Man” Bear Runner of Lonesome Valley; nieces Lisa (Donovan) Steele and Lora Catches; nephew Jeffrey Catches; grandchildren Jacinda and Cassandra King (Steve Chase), Brad Hussman, Cruz and Perez DeLeon, Xavier and Wallace Big Crow, Amber Rose Steele-Janis (Jade Janis), Malia (Charles Schrader Jr) and Stevi Fallis, and Stefanie and Amari Brewer; her great-grandchildren Roman and Ashley Ghost, Ciara King, and Cleopetra LaDeaux, Harper Haze Hussman, Luca Chase, Cruz and Victorio DeLeon, Avery and Tat’e De Leon, Apollo Tobacco, and Kaiya Love Schrader; her sisters Penny Clifford Wolters, Betty O’Rourke, Peggy Morgan, and Angie Clifford; and her brothers Darrel “Bitsy” Trueblood Sr and Loren Ray Clifford Sr.
Cleo was preceded in death by her husband Frank Gates, her baby girl Dawn Jean Cuny and son-in-law Bean Big Crow; parents Collins L Clifford and Katherine Black Elk Clifford; paternal grandparents Slim George Clifford and Florence Cutchall-Clifford; maternal grandparents Ben Black Elk and Ellen Bissonette-Black Elk; maternal great-grandparents Nick Black Elk and Katherine War Bonnet; her siblings Dave and CJ Clfford, Joe Morgan, and Debi Hall; and her hunka sister, Maxine Clifford.
Pallbearers will be Mitchell DeSersa, Tyrell Brewer, Oglala Hoksila Clifford, Jon Cole Clifford, Ahta Morgan, Jason Wolters, Ben Wolters, Darrell Wayne Trueblood, Jeffrey Catches, Canku Luta Clifford, Daniel Ray Clifford, Colby Clifford, Chance Clifford, Misun Clifford, and Henry Clifford.
Honorary pallbearers will be Paul Harold Trueblood, Brandon Clifford, Eric Clifford, TC Clifford, Laura Graham, Lavern Clifford, Leroy Clifford, Robin Clifford, Michael Clifford, Mark “Goose” Clifford, Tony “Goose” Clifford, Sis “Goose” Clifford, Harold Clifford, Boy DeSersa, Clifton DeSersa, Sherman DeSersa, Olivia DeSersa, all cherished relatives and friends, all members of the American Indian Movement Wounded Knee 73, the Longest Walk, and Yellow Thunder Camp.
Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge is in charge of arrangements for Cleo Gates.